My Thoughts

Never Forgotten… Olutayo Aderinokun (May 8, 1955 – June 14, 2011).

Just like yesterday, a year has gone by! When the news filtered announcing your migration to the world beyond our world was thrown into utter darkness and sadness. It was like a dream but the reality eventually set in and we were left only with the memories of the time we were privileged to have shared with you.

Humility is one of the very essence with which you lived your life. Though you are no more the lessons learnt continue to guide and guard my ways and I can say this for some other people who had the opportunity to pass through your tutelage. Together with your friend, you created an institution that has served and still serving as the breeding grounds for some of the finest and brightest Nigerians I have met.

Your simplicity is one of the very many lessons that will continue to live with me. There was no air around you. You related with everybody (no matter how highly or lowly placed) who came your way as important. You listened to everyone and based your positions on reasonable judgement without fear or favour.

You were a good manager of people and resources. Even when we complained about the workload you always make us understand why we need to do whatever has to be done and in the end it always get done and worth it. You took the bank to places and set so many records in the process.

Your demise is still a very painful one. The number of lives you impacted directly or indirectly testify to your goodness. The impacts you had on our worlds is immeasurable. Even though we are sad we look up to God in whom we have sought solace. We will continue to remember and celebrate the beautiful life you lived and exhort the legacies you built and left behind.

You were a titan even though a very quiet one. We didn’t even appreciate how great you were while you were with us. I’m most pained because we cannot get another chance